Linda H. Smith, AgWeb Business and Marketing Editor
That’s the advice offered by Bob Utterback of Utterback Marketing. “Looking to the August to October time period, hog producers can lock in record profit margins. Forty-five pound feeder pigs will return more than $75/head. We have to ask ourselves, ‘Is this a 2008 market for hogs? It all depends on how fast producers expand in response to these margins.”
Utterback notes that feeder cattle prices are near record highs. Although the beef herd can’t expand as rapidly as hogs, it’s still important to lock in profits if you choose to feed cattle—your own or purchased.
“It’s important to manage feed price risk as well as setting a floor under your production,” he urges.
For More Information
Utterback: Hedge Cash Rent and Crop Input Costs
